Reshuffled Takaichi Cabinet Embarks On

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her cabinet on September 17th. Takaichi reappointed most important ministers to maintain the posture of her administration, which promotes large fiscal spendings and security policy heavily relying on the United States. What she most cared was how she can make her reelection sure in the presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next year.

 

A cabinet reshuffle is always made simultaneously with renewing board members of the LDP. The LDP introduced new rule in 2022 that the term of its board members is one year and any board member cannot stay in the same position beyond three years, to avoid concentration of political power. Former LDP secretary general Toshihiro Nikai continued his position for five years, inviting criticisms on his long assignment.

 

Main purpose of reshuffling cabinet for previous prime ministers has been to regain public support for ailing administration, replacing ministers who are involved in scandal or reinforcing political power against political enemies. As Takaichi keeps relatively high approval rate, she does not have an immediate reason to change her staffs. One possible reason would be to empowering her political basis for her reelection as the LDP president next year.

 

Accordingly, Minister of Finance Satsuki Katayama, Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Ken-ichiro Ueno stayed in their current positions. Minister on Growth Strategy Minoru Kiuchi also stayed to promote 370-trillion-yen investment plan for 2040. Minister on Economic Security Kimi Onoda stayed with friendship with Takaichi.

 

One exception is leaving Yoshimasa Hayashi from Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. Takaichi researched willingness of ministers to stay by letting them submit papers. While all the reappointed ministers hoped to stay, Hayashi did not want to keep his assignment. Having long been affiliated with liberal faction in the LDP, Kochikai, Hayashi is designated as one of the hopeful alternative leaders to Takaichi. If he stays in Takaichi Cabinet, it will not be easy to run for the LDP president next year. It is likely that Hayashi left the cabinet to prepare for the presidential election.

 

To achieve firm support from former Abe faction, Takaichi did not hesitate appointing lawmakers who had been involved in kickback scandal of former Abe faction. They are Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Yoshihiro Seki and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yana. Although Seki is recognized as a novice in education policies, Takaichi pushed him to the position that has traditionally been occupied by former Abe faction which were interested in restoring old education paying respect to the Emperor.

 

LDP’s coalition partner, Japan Innovation Party (JIP), participated in the Takaichi Cabinet, sending former JIP secretary general Hiroshi Nakatsuka for Ministry on Administrative Reform. He would be a symbol of tighter unification between two leading parties. However, Nakatsuka has a criminal record of being arrested with suspect of being involved in a rigged contract when he was the mayor of Hirakata city, Osaka. His appointment can cause opposition parties’ question on Takaichi’s choice.

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